Car Collides Powerfully with Truck, But Singer Michelle (Elbaz) Rozen Gets Another Chance

Singer-songwriter Michelle (Elbaz) Rozen was injured in a car accident and is hospitalized with fractures in her pelvis and ribs. "I am a walking miracle," she says days after the accident, "the fact that I am alive, and came out with relatively minor injuries, is proof that my work in uplifting others has protected me from above."

Rozen, the daughter of singer Benny Elbaz and sister to Gad Elbaz, has begun a rehabilitation process and hopes to return to her activities soon. The interview was conducted from her hospital bed. The accident occurred last Thursday morning. Rozen was on her way back from a performance for women when she collided with a truck, leaving her helpless amidst shattered glass. The pain was so intense she lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital. "People don't survive accidents like this; I have a fighter spirit," she expressed.

Rozen, 28, resides in Rishon LeZion and is married to a yeshiva student, with whom she has four children (9, 7, 6, 2). "Early Thursday morning, I was returning home from a performance for seminary girls," she recalls, "a few blocks from my home, where there's a construction site, sand and water must have gotten into the wheels. I pressed the brake, lost control, and the car spun into a truck. The impact threw me against the door closest to the truck. The car was severely damaged, the window shattered on me, and I broke my pelvis and ribs."

She adds, "Initially, it's hard to grasp what happened. You feel pain but can't see anything. I know that neighbors called for help to rescue me. A lot of time passed between the accident and the rescue. I don't remember what happened, just being taken by ambulance to the hospital and waking to find my husband, mom, and sister waiting for results."

The car after the crash (Photo: Shaga Rozen)

According to Rozen, there was fear of irreversible damage, potentially leaving her with a permanent physical disability. "There were concerns I might need several surgeries. They didn't really know what could happen, what the consequences might be. My family prayed for me, and word of the accident spread. I was dazed, looking up to the Creator. Miracles happened. Although I was supposed to have surgery, ultimately, I didn't need one. I'm now recovering from rib and pelvic fractures. I'm grateful to Hashem that people usually don't survive accidents like these, with all the glass hitting me."

Have you talked with your father and brother, who live abroad?

My brother, living in Miami, USA, heard about the accident from someone in Brazil and spoke to me, offering strength. My father wished me a complete recovery and said this happened for a reason, crediting my work in uplifting others as watching over me. I also reached out to Rabbi Firer, who blessed and encouraged me, saying, 'You are a strong mother to four children.'

"A Mission to Lead, Guide, and Influence Women"

Two days after the accident, Rozen began to confront the challenges: "I started crying over canceled performances. My husband is a yeshiva student, and I'm the sole provider. It requires a lot of trust and faith in the Creator. Rabbi Firer gave me strength and encouragement. Recovering from a pelvic fracture isn't easy. I realized my healing must come from within. I'm a fighter, so the recovery will also come from within."

"It's true, the suffering is unbearable, but when you have faith in the Creator, you realize you must be strong. During physiotherapy, when they touched painful spots, I didn't stop crying and saying, 'Blessed is He who gives strength to the weary.' A song by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook inspires me: 'Man, rise and ascend, for you have wings of spirit, strong as eagles. Seek them, and you shall find them.'

"Hashem gives strength to face circumstances, but you must seek and find them within yourself. I suddenly see myself as a fighter, emitting positive energy, faith, and confidence. A person is measured in actions. One thing I learned from the accident is to stop complaining. Following the accident, I went through a crisis, questioning the world and its challenges. I found myself in the hospital, realizing the power of words."

"Those who inspire many face illogical trials to spread faith further. Everyone has a purpose, and as long as they're alive, there's much to achieve. We must believe all is for our eternal good, even seemingly impossible challenges."

How are your children coping?

"I haven't seen them, but we talked via video call. I explained I'll see them once I recover. I don't want them to see me broken. They're coping, talking to me, and missing me, to an extent, they're used to not having me at home every day. But we're taught everyone's given challenges they can handle."

What are your insights following such a traumatic event?

"I wouldn't say I've been gifted a second chance at life, but rather another opportunity to correct my path. Life isn't a gift; it's an opportunity. If you waste it, you might miss much. Every day you live is a chance to learn, love, comfort, and experience life. Use every moment."

Hashem Manages the World

As a youngster, Rozen survived another car accident unscathed. "Hashem sends us signals, and I've understood there's a higher power managing the world. We don't know when we'll leave this world, when we'll complete our purpose here. Understanding this is crucial to avoiding negative speech. If we grasp that Hashem rules the world, we'll live correctly."

"Through three minutes of singing, I bring joy to women and fill their hearts. Challah separation events are incredibly strengthening for women, inspiring a turnaround within minutes, a breakthrough one might not achieve in a 40-minute lesson. It's a gift from Hashem to reach people's souls through music. Nothing moves me more than seeing women respond emotionally to a few minutes of a song. Touching someone’s soul through music is unmatched."

Apart from leading challah separation evenings and performing for women's events, Elbaz has released three albums and is working on a fourth. "I aim to reach venues non-religious singers access, from cultural halls to mainstream stages. Performing at Caesarea would be a milestone, though there are many goals to achieve on my journey. Success means achieving what you've set your heart on."

"I am an independent person, and now I find myself dependent and helpless. I'm thankful to Hashem, realizing how we must respect the elderly or those with disabilities. This experience has taught me differently."